Yoshinori Tateyama was removed from the Rangers’ roster for the World Series, but yesterday the team exercised its $1 million option on the right-handed reliever for 2012.

Tateyama signed with the Rangers last winter following a lengthy career in Japan and began the season in the minors at age 35, but was called up in May and proved to be very effective despite a high-80s fastball.

He threw 44 innings with a 4.40 ERA and 44/13 K/BB ratio, holding opponents to a .220 batting average. Tateyama’s lack of velocity and trouble keeping the ball in the ballpark may stop him from taking on a high-leverage bullpen role for Texas, but he should be a solid middle reliever and $1 million is a bargain.